Aeroplane



M JJ gw June 2, 1931. w. R. REED 1,808,005

AEROPLANE Filed July l5. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 244. AERONAUTICS www `lune 2, 1931. w. R. REED 1,808,005

AEROPLANE Filed July 15, 1930 2 sheets-Sheet 2 34 I 3d 32 3J Clt/kuma 244. AERONAUTICS Patented June 2, 1931 WILLIAM R. REED, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND AEROPLANE Application filed July 15,

This invention relates to aeroplanes and has special reference to aeroplane wings of the adjustable type.

The invention also relates to propellers for aeroplanes.

One important object of the invention is to improve the construction of aeroplane wings so that the lift may be varied at will.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a novel form of wing for aeroplanes in which the camber may be varied as desired.

A third important object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of operating means for such a wing.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novel propeller for aeroplanes.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an aeroplane constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan View thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In the construction of the aeroplane as here shown there is provided a closed cabin fuselage 1() having the usual empennage 11 and landing gear 12. Mounted at each side of the forward part of the fuselage on top of the cabin roof 13 is a wing supporting rail 14 extending longitudinally of the aeroplane, these rails being supported by the projecting ends of cross beams 15. Between the forward ends of the rails 14 extends a hinge rod 16 which passes through a tubular hinge member 17 formed on the front edge of the front leaf 18 of the wing. Each rail 14 is provided with a longitudinal slot 19 and extending between the rails with its ends slidably mounted in these slots is a hinge rod 2O which passes 1930. Serial No. 468,098.

through a tubular hinge member 21 formed on the rear edge of the rear hinge leaf 22. The two leaves 18 and 22 incline upwardly and meet in a hinge joint 23.

Extending longitudinally of the center of the roof 13 is a slot 24 wherethrough passes a lug or bracket 25 which is secured at its upper end to the rod 20. A shaft 26 extends transversely of the fuselage just to the rear of the slot 24 and a second shaft 27 is arranged parallel to the shaft 26 just forward of the front end of said slot. Mounted on these shafts are sprocket wheels 28 around which runs the chain 29 which is located with its upper run just below and in alinement with the slot 24. The lower end of the lug 25 is connected to the upper run of this chain so that, when the chain is actuated the lug will travel backward or forward in the slot and thus vary the angular relation between the leaves 18 and 22 by bringing their remote edges closer or further apart. Obviously any flexible wing cambered upwardly, whether hinged or not, would be adjustable as to its camber under these conditions. Since the variation in camber of a wing surface regulates, to a large extent, its lift such change in camber would similarly affect the lift in the present instance.

In order that the pilot may operate the chain there is provided a hand wheel 30 connected to the shaft 26 by suitable means such as the gearing 31. Thus the pilot can vary the wing camber at will and use a high lift on taking off and landing and a lower lift after he has reached his desired elevation and wishes speed.

Considering now the propellers, it will be seen that there is provided a transverse propeller shaft 32 geared to the shaft of the engine 33 by gearing 34. The ends of this shaft 32 project outwardly from the sides of the aeroplane adjacent its forward end and each of the shaft ends supports a propeller consisting of two oppositely curved semi-circular blades 35 mounted side by side on the shaft in symmetrical relation, the central portions of the inside of the blades being provided with hubs 36 to receive said shaft end.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the principles thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described but it is desired to include all such as come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In an aeroplane, a fuselage, a flexible wing extending over the fuselage, a hinge connection between the forward edge of the wing 1nd the fuselage, guides extending longitudinally of the fuselage beneath said wing, a slidable connection between the rear edge of the wing and said guides, and means to move said slidable connection along said guides.

2. Inan aeroplane, a fuselage, a flexible wing extending over the fuselage, a hinge connection between the forward edge of the wing and the fuselage, guides extending longitudinally of the fuselage beneath said wing, a slidable connection between the rear edge of the wing and said guides, a sprocket chain extending parallel to said guides and having the slidable connection secured thereto, sprocket wheels supporting said chain, and means to manually operate one ofthe sprockets.

3. In an aeroplane, a fuselage, a flexible wing consisting of front and rear leaves hinged together at their adjacent edges and extending over the fuselage, a hinge connection between the forward edge of the wing and the fuselage, guides extending longitudinally of the fuselage beneath said wing, a

slidable connection between the rear edge ofA the wing and said guides, and means to move said slidable connection along said guides.

4. In an aeroplane, a fuselage, a flexible wing consisting of front and rear leaves hinged together at their adjacent edges and extending over the fuselage, a hinge connection between the forward edge of the wing and the fuselage, guides extending'longitudi-V nally of the fuselage beneath said wing, a slidable Vconnection between the'rear edge of the wing and said guides, a sprocket chain extending parallel to said guides and havingv the slidable connection secured thereto,

sprocket wheels supporting said chain, and means tol manually operate one of the sprockets.

In testimony vwhereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM R. REED. 

